JK: Ladakh stocks essentials after snowy winter

Srinagar, Sep 23: The authorities have geared up to stock essential commodities, medicine, feed for sheep and goats, fertilizer and construction material in Ladakh region, which remained cut off from the rest of the world for winter months.

The region remains cut off for winters due to ten to 25 feet of snowfall on the 434-km long Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

An official spokesman today said Advisor to Governor, C Phunsog has laid stress on raising stocks of essentials and construction material in Ladakh region before October 15, 2008.

''All the concerned should be geared up to ensure stocks are sufficiently build for the winter months'', he added.

He said the District Development Commissioner, Leh, said sufficient quantities of essential commodities have been stocked in the Ladakh region for the winter months.

He said 21,000 quintals rice, 17000 quintals atta, 4500 quintals sugar, 14 lakh litres kerosene oil, 3.60 lakh LPG cylinders have been stocked in the district so far.

Besides, he said 92000 quintals of rice, 1.27 lakh quintals of atta, 5409 quintals of sugar and 26 lakh litres of kerosene oil were also available with the Food Corporation of India in the district to meet out the requirements of the people during the winter season.

Spokesman said in Kargil district 72000 quintals rice, 34540 quintals atta, 6190 quintals sugar, 14.24 lakh litres of kerosene oil, five lakh litres of petrol and 64000 cylinders of LPG have been accumulated so far in the district while the remaining quantity of essentials would be stocked before October 15.

He said additional quota of 7000 quintals of atta would be provided to the consumers.

He said 64060 bags of cement, 135 tonnes of steel and 135 tonnes of Bitnuem, 7899 Cft of timber, 5250 quintals of firewood have been stocked in Kargil district.

In Leh district 92000 bags of cement, 800 tonnes of steel, 538 tonnes of Bitnuem and 7000 Cft of timber have been stocked for construction purposes.

He said orders of various kinds of medicines have been issued for early stocking in the region besides orders for stocking of 4500 quintals of sheep and cattle feed have been issued.

However, there was enough stock of chemical fertilizers in the region, he said adding 9160 quintals of various fertilizers were dumped in cooperative sale outlets so far.

UNI